Kyiv, Ukraine, Feb 7 (V7N) — Ukraine has announced it is ready to open a humanitarian corridor to allow hundreds of Russian civilians stranded in border areas seized by Ukrainian forces to return to Russian-controlled territory—if Moscow formally requests it.

More than 1,500 civilians remain in Ukraine-occupied areas of Russia’s Kursk region, which Kyiv’s forces took control of in a surprise cross-border offensive in August. Since then, frustration and anger have grown among Russian families who have lost contact with their loved ones, trapped without communication behind enemy lines.

"We are ready to open a humanitarian corridor from Kursk region to the depths of Russia in response to an official request of the Russian Federation," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s office said in a statement to AFP.

"Apparently, the Russians do not want such a humanitarian corridor, because we have not received a corresponding request from them," it added, accusing Moscow of "indifference" toward its own citizens.

The Kremlin declined to comment on Ukraine’s offer publicly but insisted it was "doing everything" to help Russian civilians in the contested areas.

"This question depends on contacts which are conducted by our militaries. They, of course, cannot be carried out publicly," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday.

He also accused Ukraine of "aggressive actions", which he blamed for putting Russian civilians at risk.

Ukraine's Bold Push into Russian Territory

Kyiv’s surprise attack in August 2024 was a historic shift in the nearly three-year war, marking the first time a foreign army has taken control of Russian territory since World War II.

While Russian forces have since regained some ground, Ukraine continues to control dozens of border settlements, particularly around the strategic town of Sudzha.

On Thursday, Russia’s defense ministry claimed it had "foiled" a fresh Ukrainian counter-offensive near Sudzha, saying Kyiv deployed two mechanized battalions, tanks, and armored vehicles in an attempt to break through.

Ukraine has not commented on the alleged new offensive, and CNN cannot independently verify Russia's claims.

Zelensky: 'Peace Through Strength'

Despite Moscow’s counterattacks, Zelensky celebrated the Kursk operation, calling it an essential bargaining chip for future peace negotiations.

"The occupier can and should be beaten on its territory," Zelensky wrote on social media Thursday, marking six months since the start of the offensive.

"The Kursk operation clearly explains the meaning of the principle of 'peace through strength.'"

The Ukrainian leader has repeatedly used this messaging to rally continued Western military aid, arguing that direct attacks on Russian soil pressure Moscow into negotiations.

Ukraine’s military said Thursday it had taken 909 Russian soldiers captive during the operation, replenishing its "exchange fund" of POWs to trade for Ukrainian prisoners held by Russia.

While Ukraine has facilitated the return of a small number of Russian civilians, including children, no large-scale repatriation mechanism has been established.

Military spokesperson Oleksiy Dmytrashkivsky told AFP that about 1,500 Russian civilians still remain in areas under Ukrainian control.

Meanwhile, millions of Ukrainians remain in Russian-occupied territories, with Kyiv estimating that 1.5 million children live in areas controlled by Moscow.

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